ANDRE JOHNSON’S SEASON IS MARRED BY INCONSISTENCY

Bob Lung, Staff WriterNovember 21, 2012

Andre Johnson’s huge Fantasy game this past weekend has many Fantasy owners excited about his 2012 season. However, Johnson’s season has been marred by inconsistency. While he’s ranked 10th in overall Fantasy points, he only has a 60 percent Quality Success Rate (QSR), which ties him for 27th place in consistency. This is not the consistency you want from your WR1. He’s only earned back-to-back Quality Games once all season.

Each week this season, the Quality Games Review will be here to assist you. It should help you see who is performing above average to help your team win, along with those who may be hurting your chances. As the year goes on, consistency trends will start to show the players that are becoming consistent performers and those who are one-week wonders.

The Quality Game Score is the awarding of a Quality Game to a player each week when they exceed the average points scored in your league for that position. The more Quality Games a player is awarded each year, the more consistent that player is, and the more beneficial they are to your Fantasy team. The scoring method used will be a standard PPR format, with four points for passing touchdowns and six for all others.

So, let’s begin the review…

Quarterbacks – (Quality Game Factor – 18.27)

Quality Game Earners – Week 11

Rank

Player

Team

Score

1

Matt Schaub

HOU

44.35

2

Chad Henne

JAX

34.40

3

Robert GriffinIII

WAS

34.40

4

Tom Brady

NE

28.55

5

Andy Dalton

CIN

26.80

6

Josh Freeman

TB

25.10

7

Peyton Manning

DEN

24.50

8

Drew Brees

NO

22.95

9

Andrew Luck

IND

22.10

10

Carson Palmer

OAK

21.80

11

Colin Kaepernick

SF

21.35

12

Tony Romo

DAL

20.65

13

Cam Newton

CAR

20.60

14

Aaron Rodgers

GB

19.10

15

Philip Rivers

SD

18.90

16

Brandon Weeden

CLE

18.50

THE EXPECTED

Matt Schaub has not been very consistent this season, apparent from his 40 percent QSR for the season. However, Schaub became only the 14th quarterback in NFL season to throw for 500+ yards in a game. Peyton Manning continued his masterful season so far, with his eighth straight Quality Game. Cam Newton and Tony Romo have both picked up their game from a consistency standpoint by earning their third and fourth straight Quality Games respectively.

THE UNEXPECTED

Josh Freeman continued his current hot streak with his sixth straight Quality Game. Andrew Luck continues to be red hot. He is ranked seventh in total points and tied for third in consistency. Chad Henne came back from the “dead” and rejuvenated the Jaguars pass offense. He should be a starter this week. However, since the bye weeks are over, there may not be much need for him. Colin Kaepernick responded well to his debut versus the Bears, but Alex Smith should keep the starting job.

Here is a group of those bad surprises; quarterbacks who didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Matt Ryan had an uncharacteristic horrible week. Matty Ice melted like Frosty in a green house.

Rank

Player

Team

Score

18

Matthew Stafford

DET

16.50

22

Matt Ryan

ATL

9.75

26

Joe Flacco

BAL

8.10

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Quarterbacks

Player Name

Total Points

Rank

Total QG

Total GP

QSR

Tom Brady

242.90

4

10

10

100%

Drew Brees

261.10

1

9

10

90%

Peyton Manning

237.55

5

9

10

90%

Andrew Luck

225.55

7

8

10

80%

Carson Palmer

214.75

9

8

10

80%

Robert GriffinIII

251.75

2

7

10

70%

Aaron Rodgers

248.85

3

7

10

70%

Matt Ryan

235.80

6

7

10

70%

Andy Dalton

215.75

8

7

10

70%

Matthew Stafford

214.40

10

7

10

70%

Josh Freeman

210.05

11

7

10

70%

Cam Newton

206.15

12

6

10

60%

Tony Romo

191.00

13

6

10

60%

Ryan Fitzpatrick

176.95

17

6

10

60%

Ben Roethlisberger

177.50

16

5

9

56%

Michael Vick

176.25

18

5

9

56%

Eli Manning

168.85

20

5

10

50%

Christian Ponder

158.55

23

5

10

50%

Alex Smith

145.95

25

4

9

44%

Jay Cutler

138.20

26

4

9

44%

Matt Schaub

189.80

14

4

10

40%

Tom Brady remains as the sole perfect quarterback. Drew Brees continues to hold the top spot in overall points. Robert Griffin III had a great week and earned back the No. 2 spot in overall points but he stills hovers at the 70 percent QSR range with Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and others

Running Backs – (Quality Game Factor – 10.35)

Quality Game Earners – Week 11

Rank

Player

Team

Score

1

Marcel Reece

OAK

23.30

2

LaRod Stephens-Howling

ARI

21.30

3

Trent Richardson

CLE

20.40

4

Doug Martin

TB

20.10

5

Bilal Powell

NYJ

20.00

6

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

CIN

17.80

7

LeSean McCoy

PHI

17.20

8

C.J. Spiller

BUF

16.00

9

Jamaal Charles

KC

15.80

10

Mikel Leshoure

DET

15.20

11

Jonathan Stewart

CAR

14.30

12

Ray Rice

BAL

14.30

13

Mark Ingram

NO

13.80

14

Felix Jones

DAL

13.50

15

Ryan Mathews

SD

12.30

16

Arian Foster

HOU

12.20

17

Shane Vereen

NE

12.10

18

Jalen Parmele

JAX

11.30

19

Jonathan Dwyer

PIT

11.10

20

James Casey

HOU

11.00

21

Steven Jackson

STL

10.60

22

Michael Turner

ATL

10.60

THE EXPECTED

It wasn’t the best week for the Holy Trinity of Arian Foster, Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy, but all three earned Quality Games and stayed perfect for the year. Jamaal Charles earned back-to-back Quality Games for the first time since Week 5. C.J. Spiller had the whole backfield to himself with Fred Jackson injured, and while he did earn a Quality Game, I believe greater things were expected of him. Fantasy owners are so fickle! Doug Martin and Trent Richardson both have proven themselves worthy as rookies to be listed in the Expected section.

THE UNEXPECTED

Marcel Reece filled in nicely once again for Darren McFadden this past weekend, as he took the top spot overall. LaRod Stephens-Howling continues to perform well, even though he’s getting further away from Halloween. Keep expectations low. Bilal Powell earned most of his points from his two rushing touchdowns. As I mentioned before, the Saints backfield is a crapshoot; stay away from it until Darren Sproles comes back, and even then it may be inconsistent.

Below is a list of some of the top running backs in football that did not earn a Quality Game this week. Matt Forte had his second consecutive miss and Alfred Morris is tanking as expected.

Rank

Player

Team

Score

25

Matt Forte

MIA

9.70

26

Alfred Morris

ATL

9.30

30

Stevan Ridley

ATL

8.80

32

Willis McGahee

ATL

8.30

36

Frank Gore

ATL

7.80

40

Shonn Greene

ATL

6.40

41

Reggie Bush

ATL

5.50

64

DeAngelo Williams

ATL

1.80

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Running Backs

Rank

Player

Team

Score

1

Andre Johnson

HOU

47.30

2

Justin Blackmon

JAX

36.60

3

Dez Bryant

DAL

32.50

4

Danario Alexander

SD

28.60

5

TY Hilton

IND

28.00

6

Calvin Johnson

DET

25.30

7

Randall Cobb

GB

24.30

8

Julian Edelman

NE

21.50

9

Vincent Jackson

TB

21.40

10

A.J. Green

CIN

21.10

11

Roddy White

ATL

20.30

12

Brandon LaFell

CAR

20.30

13

Lance Moore

NO

19.30

14

Cecil Shorts

JAX

17.10

15

Davone Bess

MIA

17.00

16

Anquan Boldin

BAL

15.90

17

Brandon Gibson

STL

15.90

18

Brandon Stokley

DEN

15.50

19

Wes Welker

NE

15.00

20

Chaz Schilens

NYJ

14.80

21

Reggie Wayne

IND

14.20

22

Steve Johnson

BUF

13.90

23

Demaryius Thomas

DEN

13.20

24

Santana Moss

WAS

13.10

25

Michael Crabtree

SF

12.10

26

Aldrick Robinson

WAS

11.90

27

Miles Austin

DAL

11.80

28

Kevin Walter

HOU

11.40

29

Juron Criner

OAK

11.30

30

Emmanuel Sanders

PIT

11.20

31

Steve Smith

CAR

11.10

32

Riley Cooper

PHI

11.10

33

Danny Amendola

STL

11.10

34

Marques Colston

NO

10.90

35

Darrius Heyward-Bey

OAK

10.90

There are still only four perfects. The Quality Quartet continues to dominate the consistency rankings, especially when you consider that other than Marshawn Lynch’s 90 percent QSR, no other running back has earned eight Quality Games. Doug Martin takes over the top spot in total points and has an 80 percent QSR. Rookie of the year? Maybe!

Jamaal Charles has been a little more consistent recently, but he’s certainly my poster boy forhigh pointtotals and horrible consistency. Reggie Bush continues to fade as the season goes on.

Wide Receiver – (Quality Game Factor – 10.85)

Quality Game Earners – Week 11

Rank

Player

Team

Score

1

Andre Johnson

HOU

47.30

2

Justin Blackmon

JAX

36.60

3

Dez Bryant

DAL

32.50

4

Danario Alexander

SD

28.60

5

TY Hilton

IND

28.00

6

Calvin Johnson

DET

25.30

7

Randall Cobb

GB

24.30

8

Julian Edelman

NE

21.50

9

Vincent Jackson

TB

21.40

10

A.J. Green

CIN

21.10

11

Roddy White

ATL

20.30

12

Brandon LaFell

CAR

20.30

13

Lance Moore

NO

19.30

14

Cecil Shorts

JAX

17.10

15

Davone Bess

MIA

17.00

16

Anquan Boldin

BAL

15.90

17

Brandon Gibson

STL

15.90

18

Brandon Stokley

DEN

15.50

19

Wes Welker

NE

15.00

20

Chaz Schilens

NYJ

14.80

21

Reggie Wayne

IND

14.20

22

Steve Johnson

BUF

13.90

23

Demaryius Thomas

DEN

13.20

24

Santana Moss

WAS

13.10

25

Michael Crabtree

SF

12.10

26

Aldrick Robinson

WAS

11.90

27

Miles Austin

DAL

11.80

28

Kevin Walter

HOU

11.40

29

Juron Criner

OAK

11.30

30

Emmanuel Sanders

PIT

11.20

31

Steve Smith

CAR

11.10

32

Riley Cooper

PHI

11.10

33

Danny Amendola

STL

11.10

34

Marques Colston

NO

10.90

35

Darrius Heyward-Bey

OAK

10.90

THE EXPECTED

Do we expect Andre Johnson to be at the top of the Fantasy points? Absolutely! However, we also expect him to be on the weekly Quality Game earned list more than 60 percent of the time. He was a top five receiver pick in most leagues. And while he’s 10th for the season in total points, he needs to improve his consistency to earn his high draft pick. It’s good to see Calvin Johnson perform at a high level again; even though he’s playing through pain every week. A.J. Green is a guaranteed top three pick at wide receiver next season, maybe even No. 1.

THE UNEXPECTED

Danny Amendola continues his consistent ways after returning from injury. TY Hilton scored another big day as well this past week, as did Danario Alexander. If you’re looking for some consistent waiver wire potentials, these receivers have recently earned multiple Quality Games and could be waiting for you to pick them up: Brandon Stokley, Danario Alexander, Cecil Shorts and Golden Tate.

Here is the list of top wide receivers that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. This list is huge again this week! Brandon Marshall had zero points at halftime, scored a touchdown and STILL didn’t earn a Quality Game!

Rank

Team

Score

38

Eric Decker

DEN

10.30

40

Brandon Marshall

CHI

10.10

42

Brian Hartline

MIA

8.90

43

Brandon Lloyd

NE

8.50

53

Mike Wallace

PIT

6.60

57

Julio Jones

ATL

6.30

58

Mike Williams

TB

5.90

62

James Jones

GB

5.30

81

DeSean Jackson

PHI

2.50

94

Torrey Smith

BAL

1.70

100

Denarius Moore

OAK

1.40

107

Dwayne Bowe

KC

0.00

111

Jeremy Maclin

PHI

0.00

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Wide Receivers

Player Name

Total Points

Rank

Total QG

Total GP

QSR

Reggie Wayne

193.30

3

10

10

100%

A.J. Green

216.80

1

9

10

90%

Demaryius Thomas

178.10

6

9

10

90%

Danny Amendola

115.60

38

6

7

86%

Brandon Marshall

209.50

2

8

10

80%

Wes Welker

173.00

8

8

10

80%

Randall Cobb

164.90

11

8

10

80%

Miles Austin

144.70

17

8

10

80%

Percy Harvin

162.30

13

7

9

78%

Calvin Johnson

192.70

4

7

10

70%

Roddy White

180.60

5

7

10

70%

Victor Cruz

176.30

7

7

10

70%

Vincent Jackson

170.30

9

7

10

70%

Marques Colston

164.10

12

7

10

70%

Dez Bryant

153.50

15

7

10

70%

James Jones

139.50

18

7

10

70%

Mike Wallace

138.30

19

7

10

70%

Steve Johnson

129.10

26

7

10

70%

DeSean Jackson

124.20

31

7

10

70%

Steve Smith

121.20

34

7

10

70%

Lance Moore

129.80

25

6

9

67%

Denarius Moore

122.90

33

6

9

67%

Antonio Brown

99.50

48

5

8

63%

Golden Tate

96.40

53

5

8

63%

Andre Johnson

165.00

10

6

10

60%

Eric Decker

160.10

14

6

10

60%

Julio Jones

152.50

16

6

10

60%

Michael Crabtree

131.90

22

6

10

60%

Malcom Floyd

124.90

29

6

10

60%

Cecil Shorts

124.80

30

6

10

60%

Sidney Rice

117.80

35

6

10

60%

Brandon Lloyd

116.50

37

6

10

60%

Jordy Nelson

130.70

24

5

9

56%

Brandon LaFell

98.40

49

5

9

56%

Larry Fitzgerald

135.60

21

5

10

50%

Dwayne Bowe

128.20

27

5

10

50%

Reggie Wayne continues to remain as the only perfect. However, breathing down his neck at a 90 percent QSR is the duo of A.J. Green and Demaryius Thomas. Randall Cobb is this year’s Victor Cruz. He went practically undrafted, and yet he’s now ranked 11th in total points and tied for fifth in consistency with an 80 percent QSR.

Extreme disappointments include Larry Fitzgerald (21st in total points and 50 percent QSR) and Dwayne Bowe (27th in total points and 50 percent QSR).

Tight Ends – (Quality Game Factor – 9.40)

Quality Game Earners – Week 11

Rank

Player

Team

Score

1

Rob Gronkowski

NE

32.70

2

Garrett Graham

HOU

28.20

3

Ben Watson

CLE

20.70

4

Vernon Davis

SF

20.30

5

Marcedes Lewis

JAX

19.00

6

Dallas Clark

TB

18.80

7

Brandon Myers

OAK

17.50

8

Jermichael Finley

GB

15.60

9

Jimmy Graham

NO

14.90

10

Jermaine Gresham

CIN

12.90

11

Dwayne Allen

IND

12.90

12

Jason Witten

DAL

12.10

13

Owen Daniels

HOU

11.70

14

Tony Moeaki

KC

11.30

THE EXPECTED

Good news, Rob Gronkowski earned the top spot this past weekend. Bad news, he broke his fore arm and is out about six weeks. Vernon Davis is expected to be inconsistent, and he is. He had a great week this week, but he’s still at a 50 percent QSR for the season. Jason Witten earned his seventh straight Quality Game and is tied for first with eight Quality Games. Jimmy Graham and Owen Daniels just snuck in this week, but they still have the highest QSR at 89 percent for the year.

THE UNEXPECTED

In case, you don’t know who Garrett Graham is, he’s the second tight end inHouston. He’s also probably not on anyone’s Fantasy roster other. He probably will get picked up in most leagues, but I wouldn’t get too excited just yet. Marcedes Lewis was a fairly consistent tight end about three years ago, but this week he regained some luster and shined for the Jags,, and any Fantasy owner who had the guts to start him.

Here are the top tight ends that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Tony Gonzalez went from awesome to bust this week as did most of the Falcons pass offense.

Rank

Player

Team

Score

15

Jacob Tamme

DEN

9.30

16

Brent Celek

PHI

9.20

19

Joel Dreessen

DEN

6.80

20

Tony Gonzalez

ATL

6.30

21

Greg Olsen

CAR

6.20

22

Brandon Pettigrew

DET

6.20

25

Heath Miller

PIT

4.20

28

Antonio Gates

SD

3.70

29

Dustin Keller

NYJ

3.60

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Tight Ends

Player Name

Total Points

Rank

Total QG

Total GP

QSR

Jimmy Graham

155.20

3

8

9

89%

Owen Daniels

126.50

5

8

9

89%

Rob Gronkowski

186.80

1

8

10

80%

Jason Witten

142.60

4

8

10

80%

Brandon Myers

123.40

7

8

10

80%

Jermaine Gresham

112.70

10

7

10

70%

Tony Gonzalez

165.00

2

6

10

60%

Heath Miller

126.30

6

6

10

60%

Brandon Pettigrew

100.70

11

6

10

60%

Kyle Rudolph

100.60

12

6

10

60%

Joel Dreessen

76.00

22

5

9

56%

Greg Olsen

116.90

8

5

10

50%

Vernon Davis

113.70

9

5

10

50%

There are five tight ends with eight Quality Games, and yet, four of the top 10 in total points aren’t even over a 60 percent QSR, including No. 2 overall, Tony Gonzalez. See, I told you that tight ends weren’t very consistent.

There’s your Week 11 list of Quality Games earned. Start watching these Quality rankings to find your next gem on the waiver wire and then let me know how they work out in your drive towards the championship!

Week Twelve – Quality Matchups

My Quality Game research has also shown that most Quality Games are earned during a Quality Matchup. This is a game where the player is either playing at home OR away versus a bottom ten defense. If you want more analysis to help with setting your lineup each week, check out the Xclusive Edge Packageand you will see the Historical Consistency rankings each week.

Bob has been playing Fantasy Football since 1985 and began his Fantasy
football writing career at RotoJunkie in 2001. He has progressed through a number of other Fantasy sites like CreativeSports, FoxSports and Fanball. He has been writing for RotoExperts.com for the past two seasons and is best known for sharing his Fantasy football consistency knowledge (known as the Quality Game
Scores) with the readers and listeners on the RotoExperts website and on The Fantasy Sports Channel (Sirius Radio 210 or XM 87). Bob was born and raised and continues to live in Canton, Ohio with his wife of over 20 years and his three daughters. Bob can be reached at blung@rotoexperts.com and on Twitter: @RotoExpertsBobL